Heads of churches in Jerusalem denounce bloody assaults on Gaza

The leaders of the churches in Jerusalem have decried the attacks on Gaza during an emergency aid distribution on February 29.

The heads of the churches in Jerusalem publicly stated on Friday, urging an "immediate and lengthy ceasefire" to halt further bloodshed and denouncing the Israeli military operation as "wanton attacks against innocent civilians."

The church leaders demanded that the "warring parties reach an immediate and lengthy ceasefire" to allow swift distribution of humanitarian aid to victims of the conflict across the strip.

They also sought the "enactment of a negotiated release of those held as captives and prisoners" from the war. 

The church leaders also condemned the Israeli forces spokespersons' refusal to admit responsibility for the attacks and their tendency to blame the victims. 

In the statement, the heads of the church offered "special prayers of support to the Christian communities in Gaza" under their pastoral care. 

For the past several months, about 800 Christians in Gaza have been taking refuge in churches in the strip. 

"We extend these same expressions of solidarity to the intrepid staff and volunteers of the Anglican-run Ahli Hospital, as well as to the patients they serve," the church leaders said in the statement. 

On February 29, a physician from al-Chifa Hospital and other witnesses claimed that Israeli soldiers fired at civilians at the emergency food distribution in Gaza. 

The attacks claimed the lives of 112 people and wounded 760 individuals, the Hamas health ministry reported. 

The church leaders in Jerusalem called for an end to the conflict, the freedom of captives, and the welfare of the war victims. 

The United States, an ally of Israel, demanded answers from the Israeli government about the attacks. - Oliver Samson